Custom Suspension...

[wongy9]

Just spoke to a company in Sheffeild that do custom suspension, they can make a fresh pair from scratch to whatever 'mm' you want or the can modify your own standard springs... but been springs am i right in thinking you can only go so low he said he could take it to 50mm but surely it would effect other parts being that low?

what would be a safe drop? but still have a noticeable drop.

its for a mk3 1.2 tce 08

 

[Addicted]

That will just knacker your shocks, unless they're doing custom height shocks as well it doesn't sound very custom! (More like they are just chopping your springs/pre-bought springs)

If you want lows you need coilovers really!

 

[Bren Rogers]

That will just knacker your shocks, unless they're doing custom height shocks as well it doesn't sound very custom! (More like they are just chopping your springs/pre-bought springs)

If you want lows you need coilovers really!

Basically this. Coilovers are cheaper than a decent set of wheels, so best option.

 

[Steve_W]

I would go for coilovers tbh wongy, Im running on PI. 30mm, and wish i didnt!

Looking to get the coils after Xmas as im hoping my mate can get discount cause he works for Venom Motorsport Distributor.

but cheapest i seen from new is DCPerformance.

 

[Chip-mk1]

If you run your car lower, the suspension has to be more firmly sprung in order to have sufficient roll resistance to not end up rubbing on the arches during cornering. Ie you end up with less "travel" in your suspension.

What this means is that now when you go over a bump, there is less movement during which the shocks can absorb the impact, so they need to be a much firmer shock in order to still offer the same amount of total resistance during the now more limited travel.

So if you keep with the standard shocks, your effectively removing some of the resistance they should offer by now not allowing them to move as far.

 

[NorthloopCup]

The springs become dislocated from their seats as well if you go to low. That's why they fit helper springs on most coilover sets. Ideally they should have the pistons in the dampers shortened as well to limit the amount of droop you get at full extension.

You can have custom springs made by Coilspring in Sheffield that have 'dead coils' which basically keep the springs from becoming dislocated from their seats and just compress down to the part of the spring that does all the work.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Depends on the springs, some lowering springs are actually LONGER than the original springs believe it or not.

But yes particuarly in terms of modified (cut) springs, you risk dislocation if their uncompressed length is too short.

 

[wongy9]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Well the company is coilsprings in sheffeild. He said they have been doing it for years. I'm not sure wether they cut or compress the spring but you drop off ur suspension and they will modify it and paint it for 80£ cash. Anyone used them before? Google them... See what you think. Yeah I know 30mm/35mm I cant see making a difference tothe 4x4

Thanks wongy

 

[Chip-mk1]

It will be fine, other than that you will lose some damping as a result effectively, but its not exactly a trackday car anyway, so presumably you just want this for looks?

Not really worth the price of coilovers on a 1.2 IMHO

 

[NorthloopCup]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Well the company is coilsprings in sheffeild. He said they have been doing it for years. I'm not sure wether they cut or compress the spring but you drop off ur suspension and they will modify it and paint it for 80£ cash. Anyone used them before? Google them... See what you think. Yeah I know 30mm/35mm I cant see making a difference tothe 4x4

Thanks wongy

I've used Coilspring in Sheffield before and they are very good at what they do. I still use them now for making up various different combinations of coilover springs for my track car.

 

[wongy9]

yeah its all for looks, i just want to try and get rid of some of the ride height as its huge! so what shall i get them to drop it to? a sensible safe drop...

 

[Chip-mk1]

Im sure 40mm or so wont do any massive harm.

 

[wongy9]

40/45mm it is then... ive got 17s with low profiles and 25mm spacers on the rear hopfully the drop will improve look of the ride without causing to much strain on anything... cheers lads n merry xmas

 

[Addicted]

Try not to take offence, but if you lost the 17s and got 16s or 15s you'd improve the look dramatically also, it's the 17s that are going to boost it so high and just make it look odd!

 

[wongy9]

yeh i can see your point... but when i had the 16s they looooooked so small compared to the rest of the car. i know an inch doesnt make much difference but it doesnt change anything apart from, personally the aftermarket alloys looking nicer.

 

[Chip-mk1]

i know an inch doesnt make much difference

You trying to convince us or your mrs?

 

[Steven103]

i know an inch doesnt make much difference but it doesnt change anything apart from looks

For a start fitting 17s has made your car sit around half an inch higher, assuming similar profile tyres. Straight away you need a drop of ~15mm just to get it back to factory ride height, even more if you don't have super-low-profile tyres.

P.S. what size tyres did & do you now have? (It's possible to work out the amount you need to compensate by if you have the sizes)


In here and some other threads I've noticed you're a bit undecided on height. I've seen 60, 45, 40 and 30mm mentioned by yourself I think. As well as pleasing the technical side of things (dampers, spring rates, suspension geometry etc) a bit better coilovers are also adjustable, meaning you can get the exact "drop" that you prefer. It's not a "spend £100 and hope you don't wish it was a tad lower/higher." Obviously you do pay for the convinience.


There are other reasons why 16" wheels are probably a much better choice, but they're all handling/tyre-life related when (fair enough) you're going for looks. Don't forget to take some before/after pics when you do get it lowered!